McKinnon hails 'outstanding' Bell as Dundee United make Hibs pay the penalty
Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon admits Cammy Bell's penalty save which helped his side to a 1-0 win over Championship leaders Hibernian at Tannadice came as no surprise.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who made three first-half penalty saves to help the Taysiders beat Dunfermline in September, pushed away Martin Boyle's spot-kick in the 55th minute for his seventh penalty save of the season, including shoot-outs.
That stop from the former Rangers player, who joined the Terrors in the summer, became all the more significant when Hibs defender Liam Fontaine upended United substitute Simon Murray in the 73rd minute to hand the home side an opportunity from the spot.
The impressive Tony Andreu made no mistake from 12 yards to take United level on points with Hibs but behind on goal difference.
McKinnon said: ''I was standing there thinking there is every chance he will save this, he is that good. Two key parts, he has saved a penalty and we have scored the penalty. Cammy is a fantastic goalkeeper and we are delighted to bring him in. He is outstanding. You never expect him to keep doing it, the laws of averages are they are going to score them but he has produced again tonight. It was very good three points and we are delighted.''
Hibs striker Grant Holt wanted to take the visitors' penalty and boss Neil Lennon wondered if that had an effect on Boyle, who had been fouled by Lewis Toshney.
The Northern Irishman said: ''Boyle was designated last week so he was on them. Grant missed the last one. So I don't know if that put Martin off but he was hitting them all right in the week but he didn't hit it well enough tonight and that one got away. When you miss the penalty it gives Dundee United a lift but again the response was good. The game hinged on the two penalties. If we score at that time, we were well on top in that game and made a few chances after that and at 0-0 anything still can happen. I didn't think we deserved to lose the game tonight. But we will come again.''